State Sen. Kevin de Leon defended himself Tuesday against allegations he helped transfer $25,000 to a nonprofit controlled by Sen. Ron Calderon’s brother, Thomas.

De Leon’s name appears in recently released federal documents detailing an FBI investigation of Ron Calderon, who allegedly received bribes from an undercover agent.

While the FBI probe centers on Calderon, the Los Angeles senator is referenced 17 times in the 124-page FBI document. At one point, the documents state de Leon helped transfer $25,000 from a Latino political group in the state Legislature to a nonprofit.

Appearing at a Hollywood industry event Tuesday, de Leon emphatically said he wasn’t responsible for the $25,000 contribution.

“Quote me verbatim,” he told a reporter. “I don’t know where that figure comes from. I don’t know why it is attached to me because I don’t have authorization. In no form, way or shape did I intervene with that 25K. It has nothing to do with me.”

While de Leon’s spokeswoman has previously said details of the affidavit are false, the senator’s remarks Tuesday were one of the first times he has talked extensively about the FBI investigation.

The affidavit, made public last month by Al Jazeera America, alleges Ron Calderon accepted bribes from an undercover officer posing as the president of a low-budget studio. In return, he promised to create laws that could benefit the studio.

The federal documents detail an atmosphere of payback and rewards, with Calderon talking up his connections at the Capitol. Some have suggested, however, that Calderon is exaggerating when he brags to the undercover agent about his power and influence.

At one point, the affidavit states de Leon helped broker a deal for leadership of the Latino Legislative Caucus, a 25-member group of lawmakers that includes the senator.

Calderon wanted to lead the caucus, according to the affidavit. So de Leon hammered out a deal between the Montebello Democrat and the caucus’ current leader, Sen. Ricardo Lara, D-Huntington Park, the documents state.

Under the pact, Lara would remain chairman, Calderon would drop his bid for the seat, and the caucus would give $25,000 to Californians for Diversity, the nonprofit controlled by Thomas Calderon.

The FBI affidavit lays it out: “As set forth, Senator de Leon caused $25,000 to be contributed to Californians for Diversity, the California corporation controlled by (Tom Calderon) in exchange for Ronald Calderon not to challenge Senator Lara to become the Chairman of the Latino Caucus.”

On Tuesday, de Leon acknowledged he helped resolve the chairmanship issue. “I was asked to intervene and make peace between two individuals. And I did so, and I think I did so satisfactorily,” he said. But he disputed any involvement in the money transfer.

According to the Los Angeles Times, $25,000 was transferred to the nonprofit earlier this year. A Sacramento Bee story quoted a government ethics expert who said it’s unclear whether such a transfer would be illegal.

De Leon suggested Tuesday that the investigation has detracted from recent legislative work, including passage of bills raising the minimum wage and driver’s permits for undocumented residents.

“It’s unfortunate, it’s sad,” he said of the FBI probe. “It should not be reflective of the institution as a whole. And I think that’s really important to underscore and emphasize.”

Asked when the FBI investigation might conclude — if it hasn’t already — de Leon said investigators have asked him not to talk about the case.

Separately, U.S. attorneys last week sent a note to de Leon’s attorney indicating the senator is not currently a target in the investigation.

Sen. Lara removed Calderon from the Latino caucus on Tuesday, stating “recent allegations against one of our Caucus members, Senator Ron Calderon (D-Montebello), threaten to overshadow our accomplishments and undermine the integrity of the Caucus as a whole.”

Calderon has not been charged. He has released statements suggesting he is innocent.

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